Iowa Lawmakers To Consider Hemp Regulations

Legislators in Iowa must meet to regulate hemp production in the state. Congress has legalized the crop and farmers are eager to start planting it. Hemp comes from the same plant as marijuana but doesn't contain the high producing drug THC.

Hemp is used to making a variety of different products including clothing, food, textiles, clothing, and building materials. Hemp production was one of the measures approved under the 2018 Farm Bill. The Des Moines Register reported that state agriculture officials will meet this month to discuss possible regulations for the farming of hemp.

One potential issue that lawmakers may choose to address is whether hemp farmers should be allowed to produce cannabidiol. Advocates say that CBD helps treat a variety of illnesses like epilepsy, anxiety, and depression. Hemp-derived CBD is allowed federally, but Iowa's medical marijuana law does not allow it to be produced from industrial hemp.